Grand Canyon National Park near Flagstaff, AZ may not be the deepest canyon in the world, but it has the most overwhelming size and is known for it's beautiful and colorful landscape. It has a geological significance because of the rows of beautiful ancient rocks that are built into the canyon walls. Grand Canyon has always been important in some aspect. In 1893, it was given Federal protection as a Forest Reserve, and following that as a National Monument. Finally, in 1919, it was recognized as a National Park and given National Park status, three years after the National Park Service.
Grand Canyon National Park has been a popular tourist attraction for many years, getting almost five million visitors every year. The goal of the National Park Service is to preserve the park as well as all its features and to give the visitors as much fun and enjoyment they could have in the park. Most people see the Grand Canyon from their cars at a point that overlooks the South Rim, although some try to view it from the North Rim. The North Rim is much harder to get to and is closed by snow in the winter. Both places give you a magnificent view of this fantastic attraction and landmark.
The Grand Canyon National Park Foundation is an organization designed to preserve and protect the Grand Canyon. Friends of Grand Canyon, another group dedicated to helping the park have helped to make this a truly special place with their additions of pedestrian and biking trails, helping promote wildlife research and youth programs, making the park, wheelchair accessible and restoring the historic buildings.
